The opening of the £16million leisure complex had already been set back and – when it finally did open its doors – it was hit by critisim over its glass-frontage design.

The design left swimmers exposed to passing public glare.

In its first year the centre clocked up 400,000 admissions. That didn’t stop more criticism when three of its pools were closed for three weeks for improvement work – including the replacement of tiles – a year after it opened.

The centre boasts a 25-metre, eight-lane competition pool, and features the latest hi-tech electronic scoreboard with specially designed Omega Timing.

Another feature is a moveable hydraulic floor, meaning the pool’s depth can be varied.

There is also a teaching pool, which –at 18 metres by 10 metres – is larger than the standard.

That pool also boasts a moveable floor.

The leisure facility also includes dance studios with sprung floors, and a gym with more than 80 machines which each have their own TVs, powered by the person exercising.